April 29, 2014

Five K-State Police officers were recently nominated for the Kansas Department of Transportation People Saving People Award.

The team of Sgt. Brian Sheaves, Sgt. Lloyd Jahns, Officer Mike Malloy, Officer Tim Teimissen and Officer Ryan Runyan served as a day shift team at the Kansas State University Police. This team of officers developed a passion and drive for two areas of importance. The first being occupant restraint and the second being distracted driving. Their efforts were critical not only in the general community but with the 18-21 year old student demographic within a university community.

Approximately 13,000 lives are saved each year by buckling up, and yet statistics show that another 15,000 are lost from not buckling up. In addition to these statistics, distracted driving claimed more than 3,000 lives in 2012. Many of these deaths from not buckling up and lives saved by wearing seat belts are of people between the ages of 16-20.

At Kansas State University a majority of the students are within the 18-21 age group. Understanding these concerns and statistics, the Kansas State University Police Department began working with the Kansas Department of Transportation special traffic enforcement program. The officers worked special assignments to convey the importance of how unrestrained drivers and distracted driving are some of the leading causes of deaths in traffic accidents.

In May, officers from K-State and around the country will begin the nationwide campaign "Click it or Ticket" a proactive effort to continue to raise seat belt usage amongst all drivers and passengers.